Chapter 6: Departure

Roland

Winterfell was in chaos. Roland had been hunting with his father when he heard about Bran's fall. Apparently Bran had fallen from the Broken Tower. But Roland had been told by both Jon and Robb that Bran was always an excellent climber. So Roland felt that there was more to this incident.

Servants where running around and the Direwolves where howled all night. While Roland wasn't bothered by it, he had to deal with Joffrey's constant whining.

The following morning, Roland met with Lord and Lady Stark to offer his condolences. He found them next to Bran's bed. Lord Eddard was looking solemn while Lady Catelyn was weaving a prayer web like her life depended on it.

"I can't express how sorry I am for what has happened to Bran my lord," He said.

"Don't worry about it my Roland it's not your fault" Lord Eddard replied.

"I know," said Roland. "But in any case, if there is anything I can do, anything at all. I want you to know that I am at your service."

Lady Catelyn finally looked up "thank you my prince, you are most kind."

Roland had to ask, "will he live Maester Luwin?"

The aged man spoke "I think so. He will never walk again though but he will revive in time."

Roland gave a small bow and left to join his mother and siblings breaking their fast. Along the way he saw Uncle Tyrion scolding Joffrey. He moved closer to hear what they were saying.

"Before we go you will go to Lord and Lady Stark and offer your sympathies," Tyrion said.

"What good will my sympathies do them?" Joffrey asked.

"Nothing" Tyrion admitted. "But it is expected of you, your absence has been noted."

Joffrey scoffed, "the boy means nothing to me, and I can't stand wailing women."

Roland saw knew to expect this kind of selfishness from his brother. That didn't stop him from having the sudden urge to slap his Joffrey silly. Unfortunately for Roland, Tyrion beat him to it.

Tyrion reached out his hand and slapped Joffrey hard. The slap caused Joffrey to whimper like a 3 year old. Roland smiled and shook at watching a 15 year old boy act like a toddler. It took a lot of his willpower to stop from laughing.

"One more word like that and I will hit you again." Tyrion warned his nephew.

"I'm telling mother," Joffrey yelled.

Tyrion slapped him again, causing Joffrey to whimper again.

"Go ahead, but first you will get to Lord and Lady Stark and you will offer your condolences. Do you understand?"

"You can't-" Joffrey began to object.

Tyrion slapped him again, "do you understand?" He repeated.

Giving a reluctant nod, Joffrey angrily stormed off.

The Hound turned to Tyrion. "The Prince will remember that little lord," he warned.

Tyrion shrugged, "I hope so," he said. "If he forgets be a good dog and remind him."

Roland made his way to the great hall where his mother, uncles and younger siblings were already eating. After he asked for fish, bread, eggs and ham. Roland took a place next to Tommen. Tyrion arrived shortly after and sat between Roland and Jaime. After eating in silence for a few moments, his sister Myrcella spoke up.

"Is Bran going to die?" Myrcella asked. Roland smiled, his younger brother and sister always had the sense of sweetness that Joffrey lacked.

"Apparently not," he replied.

Both Tommen and Myrcella grinned, obviously delighted at the news. His mother on the other hand looked concerned.

"What do you mean Roland," She asked.

"I talked to the Maester, and he says that Bran may survive."

Cersei and Jaime exchanged an odd look for a brief moment. But it wasn't brief enough that it Roland failed to spot it. He looked at his mother then at his uncles. He noticed that Tyrion had caught it as well.

"Will Bran be alright?" Tommen asked, interrupting Roland from his thoughts.

Roland looked at his younger brother with a sad expression on his face and shook his head. "I'm afraid not," he replied. "The fall has broken his back, even if when he wakes up he will never be able to walk again."

Upon hearing this, Tommen looked down at his food and continued to eat quietly.

His mother now looked wary. "When he wakes up, is that likely?" she asked.

"I'm sure of it, the northerners are a tough stock. But it's in the hands of the gods I suppose."

Then Uncle Jaime spoke up, "even if the boy lives he will be a cripple. Lord Eddard should end his suffering, it would be a mercy to-".

Before he could finish, Jamie noticed that his siblings were looking at him with wide eyes. It was only then that he remembered that they were not alone. He turned towards Roland and found him staring at him in disbelief.

Roland couldn't believe his ears, how could his uncle even suggest such a thing. Giving Bran a 'mercy death' like some lame horse. The boy still had a whole life ahead of him, Jamie had no right to say whether someone should live or die.

"Bran isn't some lame animal that should be disposed of, he's a boy." Roland hissed at his uncle. "Just because he can't walk that doesn't mean he's a lost cause. I don't think people should just resign themselves to the Stranger especially at such a young age."

Cersei, Jamie and Tyrion were shocked at Roland's outburst, he hardly ever did that. Jaime raised his hands in defense, "I'm just saying that maybe it's what's best. As you said his legs are useless now, he'll never be able to run, jump, fight or ride he will be bed ridden forever.

Roland humphed,"if I recall correctly, Willas Tyrell is similarly hampered. But that doesn't stop him from living his life, and you don't see HIS family plotting to end his existence."

Silence followed, Jaime looked down Tyrion smiled. Jaime should of known better than to get into this kind of match with Roland.

After finishing his meal, Roland left to find Robb and Jon. As he searched for the Stark brothers, Roland contemplated what had just occurred between his mother and Jamie

'They didn't seem very happy that the boy will live' He thought. 'In fact they seemed indifferent about what had happened to Bran'. Then Jaime had the nerve to suggest killing the boy. Roland knew that the Lannister side of his family always had an air of coldness about them but still, would it kill them to show even a little compassion. Roland decided to put those thoughts behind him for now.

He found Robb and Jon in the Godswood talking about things he couldn't hear. As Roland approached, Robb and Jon turned towards him and gave a polite bow.

"Would you mind if I joined you?" Roland asked tentatively.

"Of course Roland, we could use your company," Robb replied.

Roland smiled gratefully, it was certainly a better change to the cold company he had been in the presence in a few minutes ago.

Walking along the godswood made Roland feel truly at peace. Though the Red Keep possessed a Godswood, the one in Winterfell was a 'proper' godswood with a real living Hearttree. Looking into its grim face made Roland feel that there was actually something there, which was more than he could say about the statues of the seven in the Great Sept of Baelor. As the three friends talked, Roland decided to turn the conversation towards Bran. "So Bran has always been a good climber?" he asked.

Jon nodded "I've seen Bran climb just about everything at any time," he said. "Rain, snow, sleet, storm whatever. Every time he was always surefooted."

"So Bran has never fallen before," Roland asked.

Robb shook his head, "never if he had we would never of let him climb as often."

'Curious,' Roland thought to himself.

Robb then turned to speak to Roland. "Jon is going to join the Nights Watch," he said.

That surprised Roland and thought that Jon should truly think about what ha was doing. He had seen the condition of Nights Watch when Roland had asked his father to let him see the wall a few years ago. When he arrived he admitted he didn't like what he saw. He had expected a well trained, well organized group of professional warriors. Yet all he had seen was a bunch of thieves, murderers, rapers, and green boys. Only a small handful were actual soldiers. It was nothing like the legendary organization that he had read about.

Roland knew that joining the Night's Watch at 16 was an unwise decision. But he could fault him for wanting to. From what he had heard, Lady Catelyn everything short of cruel to Jon. She merely tolerated him. Roland knew that by the way, she looked at him. It was the same look that Tywin would give Tyrion during visits to Casterly Rock.

Roland knew that the reason Jon was joining the Watch is that he is hoping to get even the slightest bit of dignity for himself. How little does Jon know what truly awaits him at the Wall?

"Are you absolutely sure you want to do this," he asked.

Jon nodded, "Of course, I'm ready to swear the oath."

Roland shook his head "I don't know about that Jon. I've seen the state of the Nights Watch, it's not as grand as you will find that reading about something and actually seeing it are two totally different things"

"What would you know what is best for me Prince." Jon snapped at him for the first time. "I'm an excellent fighter, you said it yourself."

Roland looked at his friend calmly. "I'm not doubting your abilities Jon, only your judgment on the road yet to travel."

"Uncle Benjen is in the Night's Watch and I don't see him complain about it. Besides, why do you care what I do with my life."

"You have become a good friend to me, why wouldn't I care. I'm just saying based on past experience that the gods have a tendency of cursing us with what we want. Only for us to realize that once we have it we don't want it anymore. If you do join the Watch and swear the oath something may happen that will make you regret it. But by that time it is to late to turn back. Once you join the Night's Watch, you're in for life and you will not be able to help you family if they might need you."

Jon looked at him surprised, he had not expected such rational thinking to come out of him. 'What if he is right', he thought, looking at Robb. Roland words made Jon reconsider what he truly wanted to do.

Before long it was time for them to leave. Jon embraced Robb in a final farewell before Roland stepped forward

"Good Bye Robb Stark," Roland said extending his hand. "We'll meet again soon I hope."

Robb gave him a curt nod and took the young royal's hand "I hope so too Roland", he replied.

With that Roland mounted Bane and Jon mounted his own horse. Together, they rode off to catch up with their fathers.

The ride down the King's Road was uneventful until finally, they reached the fork that led to Castle Black. Roland knew that Jon had decided to follow Benjen Stark to the Wall but he was still undecided as to whether he should swear the oath.

"Are you sure about this Jon", Roland asked for the final time.

"No not really," Jon replied. "But something is telling me to go anyway?"

Roland nodded satisfied with his decision. "Well send me a raven if you ever change your mind."

After shaking hands Roland Baratheon and Jon Snow went their separate ways. Roland looked back and said to himself.

"You are destined for greatness Jon Snow you just don't know it yet."